Here’s a startling fact—Nearly 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ Americans have a substance use disorder (SUD), and 7.6 million LGBTQ+ people have both a mental illness and/or a SUD. Members of the LGBTQ+ community experience higher rates of SUDs compared to the population as a whole— approximately 20% compared to 9%, respectively.
LGBTQ+ Program
Are LGBTQ People More at Risk for Substance Abuse?
- 37.6% of the LGBTQ+ community uses marijuana vs.16% of the general population
- 9% misuse opioids vs. 3% of the general community
LGTBQ+ Treatment Options at Profound Treatment in Los Angeles Include:
At our LGBTQ treatment center in Los Angeles, we provide evidence-based care that allows people who identify as LGBTQ+ to move through residential detox, inpatient programs, and vocational training.
Are Substance Use Treatment Options Helpful for LGBTQ?
Research confirms that there are significantly higher rates of substance use disorders among those who identify as LGBTQ+ than among heterosexuals. Fortunately, LGBTQ substance use treatment programs can address the need for specialized treatment.
Many factors contribute to higher substance use among LGBTQ+ people, including the stress of social stigma, fears of being rejected by family members, and discrimination in the workplace.
LGBTQ+ members may fear rejection or abuse at a traditional treatment program. LGBT substance abuse treatment centers are designed to meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
Profound Treatment offers treatment modalities like psychosomatic therapy, motivational interviewing, and cognitive-behavioral therapy to help LGBTQ+ members learn to cope with the stressors and trauma they may have endured due to their sexual orientation.
Characteristics of LGBTQ Individuals Attending Substance Addiction Treatment
Researchers are working to understand the higher rates of substance abuse in the LGBTQ+ community. Many studies have found that when compared to cisgender and heterosexual groups, LGBTQ+ members have experienced higher levels of trauma, including school victimization, hate crimes, family conflict, and other stressful childhood experiences.
Our LGBTQ treatment center in Los Angeles provides the resources needed to address this type of trauma.
Treatment Factors for LGBTQ Individuals
Profound Treatment understands the need for affirming, nonjudgmental treatment plans that address the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals.
When it comes to the rate of people seeking LGBTQ substance abuse treatment, there is good news. Comparison studies have shown that LGBTQ+ individuals seek help for mental health disorders at a higher rate than their heterosexual counterparts.
Benefits of Treatment with LGBTQ+ Inclusivity
Members of the LGBTQ+ community can receive treatment at any rehab center they choose, but there are special benefits to attending LGBTQ rehab centers, including:
- Peer support both during and after treatment
- Staff members who have experience working with the LGBTQ community
- Treatment for dual diagnoses
At our LGBTQ treatment center in Los Angeles, clients can focus on their recovery without concerns they will be discriminated against. Loving an alcoholic isn’t easy, no matter their orientation. Our family programs can help LGBTQ individuals build healthy relationships with their loved ones.
Higher incidences of substance misuse is due in part to the obstacles and social stigma the LGBTQ+ population experiences. Members of the LGBTQ+ community have specific needs that must be addressed to promote successful outcomes in their addiction treatment. Therapy must address homophobia/transphobia, family problems, violence, social isolation, and being forced to live a “closeted” lifestyle.
Some common co-occurring disorders in the LGBTQ+ community can be:
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Eating disorders
Why Choose Profound Treatment for the LGBTQ Program?
If you are looking for an LGBTQ residential treatment center, Profound Treatment can help. We offer LGBTQ substance abuse treatment plans that focus on the causes of addiction. Our clinical team is experienced in working with people of all genders and identifications.
At our LGBT drug treatment centers, the goal is to help you be the healthiest version of yourself, not someone else’s idea of who you should be. If you need more reasons to seek treatment, check out these recovering addict quotes for inspiration.
Profound Treatment offers LGBTQ+ specific, intensive programming at our Los Angeles based residential treatment center, and our experienced clinicians structure treatment processes accordingly.
Profound Treatment clinicians integrate the history of the LBGTQ+ community into education sessions – highlighting the ways complex feelings (i.e., guilt and shame) often play a substantial role in our clients’ addictions. Our LGBTQ+-trauma program focuses on the underlying conditions that lead to clients’ drug and alcohol use (e.g., discrimination or stigmatization based on sexual orientation, rejection or shame from family or friends after coming out, etc).
Profound Treatment clinicians have the experience and background to effectively treat the LGBTQ community. Whether the addiction is to illicit substances like methamphetamine, prescription drugs or alcohol, our clinical team will craft a personalized treatment plan that focuses on addressing the issues that members of the LGBTQ+ community often experience, helping them establish meaningful linkages to needed resources within the LGBTQ+ community.
We also offer several treatment modalities that have been shown to be effective for the LGBTQ+ community including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy and motivational interviewing, just to name a few.
The journey to recovery is different for each person which is why Profound offers various levels of care–from Detox and our Inpatient Rehab Program, to our specialized programs that can provide clients with a little more flexibility or potentially teach new life skills.
Sources:
https://nida.nih.gov/drug-topics/substance-use-suds-in-lgbtq-populations